Garment straightening device

ABSTRACT

A device for straightening and holding portions of apparel tending to lose their original configuration subsequent to extended ownership and use is provided.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/941,076, filed May 31, 2007, which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to devices for straightening and holding portionsof apparel, and more specifically, to a collar aid for use inmaintaining the original configuration thereof subsequent to extendedownership and use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Dress shirts like those worn by men and women in either casual orbusiness settings are generally designed to provide an impression worthyof gaining the respect of others. Thus, it is desirable, and oftennecessary, that the wearer of the apparel be able to maintain its“original look.”

It is often the case that repeated laundering of a garment, whether bythe owner's washing and ironing of it or by professional dry cleaningand/or pressing, distorts its original configuration in some way. Aparticularly noticeable type of distortion often seen with respect todress shirts is a tendency for the top of the shirt flap adjacent thetopmost button and collar to lose its rigidity so as to turn downwardly.This occurrence disrupts the appearance to be given by the wearing ofthe garment, and often results in a sloppy impression. Alongside thisunwanted impression is the fact that the downturned shirt flap portioninvariably interferes with the wearing of additional apparel, such as anecktie.

Past designs of garment straightening devices seeking to address theabove discussion often are flawed in some respect. Such flaws include aninability for the device to be substantially, completely unseen whilethe garment is being worn. Also, such devices often require excessiveadjustment to or fitting with the dress shirts often used—and arethereby overly complicated. Additionally, such devices many timescomprise several components which necessarily require multiple steps toachieve their manufacture. The expense associated with such manufactureis frequently a drawback.

For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,825,472 and 4,648,137 describemultiple-part devices aimed only at providing an adjustable collar.Further, U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,599,421; 3,076,198; 3,651,519; 3,865,286 and7,004,361 merely describe various ways of attaching the collar wing orwings of a shirt to the shirt body. Each of these described effortsfail, however, to address a device which solves the downturningmentioned above, and at the same time, does so in a way that minimizesor removes the opportunity for visual detection by its user or others.

Accordingly, it has been observed that given the current state ofgarment straightening devices, an opportunity exists to provide a deviceallowing its owner to obtain the original look of a garment even aftersuch garment has been owned and used for an extended period of time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the embodiment(s) of the invention disclosedhereinafter, the above opportunity is fulfilled by a device comprisingportions which act together to deter and correct downturning of a flapportion of, in particular, a dress shirt, in the vicinity of the topmostbutton. The device attaches to a portion of the shirt flap portionand/or the shirt collar to restrain the shirt flap portion from flippingover and turning downwardly and back toward the topmost shirt button.

It is to be understood that while the discussion herein is applicable toa dress shirt, it is intended that the device of the present inventionmay also be used in a similar fashion with garments having differingdesigns, but the same or similar need as described above.

Accordingly, there is provided a device for maintaining the originallook of a garment by enabling its owner to correct certain deformationsoccasioned throughout the life thereof.

Various other objects, advantages and features of the present inventionwill become readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, andthe novel features will be particularly pointed out in the appendedclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following detailed description, given by way of example and notintended to limit the present invention solely thereto, will best beappreciated in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein likereference numerals denote like elements and parts, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration in perspective view, of a new,original dress shirt.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the shirt of FIG. 1 illustratingdeformation thereof after long-term ownership and/or use, includingmultiple instances of laundering.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the shirt of FIG. 2 illustrating theappearance thereof in connection with the wearing of an apparelaccessory.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the shirt of FIG. 3 illustrating thewearing of the device of the present invention with both the shirt ofFIG. 2 and accessory shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the device of the present inventionaccording to a first embodiment thereof.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the device according to FIG. 5illustrating a particular construction thereof.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a dress shirt owned and used for anextended period of time.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the shirt of FIG. 7 in use of the deviceof the present invention according to a second embodiment thereof.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the device of the present inventionaccording to a second embodiment thereof.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating use and placement of thedevice according to FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating further placement of thedevice according to FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating placement of the deviceaccording to FIG. 9 when viewed from an inside of the collar afterbuttoning.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the device of the present inventionaccording to a third embodiment thereof.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating use and placement of thedevice according to FIG. 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention entails a garment straightening device usable tostraighten portions of a garment that have become distorted in some waysubsequent to extended ownership and use. Specifically, it iscontemplated that the device is usable with a dress shirt, or other typeof shirt, to correct down-turning of a flap portion thereof which has atendency to lose its shape after extended ownership, and repeated useand/or laundering.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a dress shirt 20 comprising anoriginal look prior to being worn or laundered. Therein, the shirt 20comprises a flap portion 22 comprising an edge 24, and a series offastener buttons 26 comprising a topmost button 28 which is insertablethrough aperture 29 to complete buttoning of shirt 20. The shirt 20further comprises a collar 30 comprising first and second collar wings32, 34, respectively, and which are attached to neck band 35. Neck band35 comprises a frontside 37 and a backside 39.

Arrows “A” illustrate substantial conformity of the flap portion 22adjacent the topmost button 28 with the first collar wing 32. Referringto FIGS. 2 and 7, there is illustrated a condition of the shirt 20 afterextended ownership, use and repeated laundering. Referring to FIG. 2, itcan be seen that shirt flap portion 22 experiences a significantdownturning such that a front face 31 thereof becomes flipped over inthe direction of arrows “B” and toward buttons 26 beneath the topmostbutton 28. This condition is undesirable when attempting to wear theshirt 20 according to its originally intended appearance as shown inFIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown the difficulty which arises when anecktie 36 is worn with shirts experiencing the downturning of flapportion 22 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 7. Such downturning disrupts thewearing of the necktie 36, leading to displacement thereof, andfurthermore, instances in which the downturned flap portion 22 revealsitself, thereby detracting from the appearance intended by the wearer.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 8, there is illustrated the dress shirt 20 inuse with a garment straightening device 38 of the present invention.Therein, the shirt 20 presents an appealing appearance given its abilityto deter against the downturning discussed with reference to FIGS. 2 and7.

In a first embodiment of the present invention and with reference toFIG. 5, the garment straightening device 38 comprises a laterallyextending fabric body 40 comprising a stiffened, substantially circular,arced lobed end portion 42 adjoining an elastic mid-portion 44 that isfurther adjoined to an end portion 46. Lobed end portion 42 comprises anaperture 48 at substantially the center thereof for receipt of topmostbutton 28. Device 38 further comprises a shirt collar attachment 49contemplated to be affixed to the frontside 37 of neck band 35, whichrepresents a portion of the underside 50 of the collar 30, as by one ofadhesion, sewing, hook and loop fastener, e.g., VELCRO, or othersuitable method, as shown in FIG. 4. End portion 46 and stationaryattachment 49 comprise mating VELCRO surfaces 52, 54, respectively, suchthat end portion 46 may couple and interlock with attachment 49.

In use, a user first buttons shirt flap portion 22 to the remainder ofthe shirt 20, including fastening of the topmost button 28 thereof.Thereafter, lobed portion 42 is fitted over the topmost button 28,allowing button 28 to be received through aperture 48. Also at thistime, lobed portion 42 contacts front face 31 of the flap portion 22.Thereafter, end portion 46 is extended toward attachment 49 in thedirection of arrows “C,” as shown in FIG. 4, and is mated withattachment 49 via their mating VELCRO surfaces 52, 54 whereby suchattachment is hidden beneath collar wing 32. During such extension,mid-portion 44 elastically deforms as a function of the distance betweenbutton 28 and the point of affixation of collar attachment 49. Onceattached, the laterally extending body 40 acts in tension substantiallyparallel to frontside 37 of neck band 35, thereby causing its lobed endportion 42 to press against and across front face 31 of the flap portion22 adjacent the topmost button at “x”; and thus returns it to andmaintains it in its originally intended position by urging it backtoward an upright position as shown in FIG. 1. It will be understoodthat the amount of pressure applied at “x” is a function of theparticular properties of the garment, the extent and amount ofdeformation at “x” and at adjacent areas of the flap portion 22, as wellas the elasticity of the material comprising the mid-portion 44 of body40. For instance, it will be understood that given the rigidity of thematerial from which shirt 20 is constructed, and overall condition andextent of the downturning of flap portion 22, that the extent of elasticdeformation of mid-portion 44 will vary accordingly.

Once flap portion 22 is returned to its original position as shown inFIG. 1, the user may then adorn an accessory such as the necktie 36, orother chosen form of apparel, such as a scarf, etc. (not shown). Whenused, the visible area of device 38 will be minimized or not seen at alldue to the proximity of its mid-portion 44 and lobed end portion 42, andtheir substantial concealment by first collar wing 32 and the accessoryin use. Further, it is to be understood that lobed portion 42 may bereduced in size when compared to that which is shown to minimize itsdetectability when straightening device 38 is being used.

It is to be understood that while VELCRO has been described as the meansend portion 46 and attachment 49 are joined, other suitable means couldbe used to accomplish their mating, including adhesion and sewing. Forexample, end portion 46 may be constructed with an aperture (not shown)through which a button (not shown) fastened to the frontface 37 of thecollar 30 is insertable.

With reference to FIG. 6, it is to be understood that device 38, and inparticular its lobed portion 42, is contemplated to be constructed ofmaterial matching the apparel covering it. For instance, the device 38would match the fabric and color and/or patterning of the necktie 36 orscarf with which it is worn. Construction in this manner is contemplatedto further minimize visual detection of the wearing of device 38 ininstances in which, for example, an accessory being worn thereover mayslump from its initial placement by the user. Additionally, suchconstruction would enable a user to wear device 38 without suchaccessories as described above since the design thereof is alsocontemplated to match that of the shirt 20, or other garment, with whichit is worn. It is contemplated that when constructed in this manner thatdevice 38 would be manufactured in the colors popular to those ofcontemporary dress shirts, including white, blue, pink and brown.

Referring to FIGS. 9-12, there is shown a second embodiment of thepresent invention comprising a garment straightening device 52. Device52 comprises a unitary rigid wafer-like body 54 comprising, optionally,plastic or other such suitable material comprising, for instance, alightweight metal comprising aluminum. Body 54 comprises a longitudinaldimension comprising a semicircular bowed first end 55 and a downwardlyturned, arced second end 56 with such arc 58 being substantiallycontinuous from a top edge 60 to a bottom edge 62 thereof. Intermediatefirst and second ends 55 and 56, device 52 comprises an aperture 64 forreceipt of topmost button 28. Second end 56 is contoured tosubstantially match the shape and contour provided by the edge 24 ofshirt flap portion 22 adjacent topmost button 28.

Device 52 may be constructed to substantially match either all or aportion of the configuration of the particular garment or other itemwith which it is used.

In use, device 52 is affixed, as by adhesive, VELCRO, or other suitablemeans, to an inside 66, or backside 39, of collar 30 opposite secondcollar wing 34, as shown by arrows “D” of FIG. 10. Aperture 64 isaligned with an aperture 68 of shirt 20, as shown by arrow “E,” as isillustrated in FIG. 11, so as to enable receipt of topmost button 28.Referring to FIGS. 10-12, device 52 is shown from a perspective takenbehind the shirt collar 30 when topmost button 28 is fastened throughapertures 64 and 68. Once fastened, device 52 provides a rigid backingto the shirt flap portion 22 and edge 24 thereof which restricts againstdownturning thereof so as to enable the appearance of the shirt 20 asshown in FIG. 8. When fastened, device 52 acts in tension to pull shirtflap edge 24 and adjacent areas of the flap portion 22 in the directionof arrows “F” so as to maintain the aforementioned appearance shown inFIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 13-14, there is shown a third embodiment of thepresent invention comprising a garment straightening device 70. Device70 comprises, optionally, an arcuate member comprising a boomerang-likeshape comprising a plurality of legs 72 and 74 with an angletherebetween in the range of 30°-60°. As may be understood by referenceto FIGS. 13-14, device 70 comprises first and second sides 76 and 78,respectively. With such an angle, device 70 demonstrates an arcsubstantially matching that of the edge 24 of shirt flap portion 22.Side 76 comprises a material which is contemplated to match that of thegarment with which it is to be used. Side 78 comprises an adhesiveenabling affixation of device 70 to, as will be appreciated, thebackside 39 of the collar 30.

Referring to FIG. 14, device 70 is positioned substantially midwaybetween the outermost edge of edge portion 24 and topmost buttonhole 29to provide stability across edge portion 24.

Device 70 can be provided (e.g. sold) in combination with shirt 20. Thatis, garment manufacturers can construct shirt 20 with an appropriatepocket in which device 70 is arranged as shown in FIG. 14. Thereby, thewearer of a particular garment is able to bypass his/her installation ofdevice 70.

Accordingly, there is provided a garment straightening device able torestore an original look of the garment with which it is used, and to doso with substantial concealment of the device which is accomplished byeither the covering of its constituent portions by portions of thegarment with which it is used and/or by matching of the coloring and/orpatterning thereof with the garment.

In view of the foregoing discussion, it is intended that the appendedclaims be interpreted as including the embodiments described herein, thealternatives mentioned above, and all equivalents thereto.

1. A garment straightening device comprising: a body comprising portionscooperable with at least one of a plurality of garment collar portionsand a garment button to act in tension substantially parallel to the atleast one of the plurality of garment collar portions to correct andresist downturning of a flap portion of the garment adjacent the garmentbutton by maintaining the flap portion in an upright position, andcooperable with the at least one or more of the plurality of garmentcollar portions to minimize visual detection thereof.
 2. The garmentstraightening device according to claim 1, wherein: each of the bodyportions comprises a fabric.
 3. The garment straightening deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein: the body comprises a lobed first endportion for attachment with the button, a mid-portion and a second endportion for attachment to the one of the plurality of garment collarportions.
 4. The garment straightening device according to claim 3,further comprising: a collar attachment adapted for affixation to theone of the plurality of collar portions.
 5. The garment straighteningdevice according to claim 4, wherein: each of the collar attachment andthe second end portion of the body are couplable.
 6. The garmentstraightening device accordingly to claim 5, wherein: upon coupling ofthe collar attachment and the second end portion of the body, a tensileforce is exerted from the second end portion of the body to the lobedfirst end portion to thereby cause the lobed first end portion to engageagainst the flap portion.
 7. A garment straightening device comprising:a body adapted for attachment with a garment, and upon such attachmentacting in tension resulting in an elastic deformation thereof, suchdeformation enabling pressing of the body against the garment to effectand maintain straightening thereof.
 8. A garment straightening devicecomprising: a body comprising at least first and second arcuateportions, the curvature of at at least one of such portionssubstantially matching that of a section of the garment with which it iscooperable.
 9. The garment straightening device according to claim 8,further comprising: an aperture disposed between each of the first andsecond arcuate portions, the aperture adapted for receipt of a fastenerusable to secure the section of the garment to another section thereof.10. The garment straightening device according to claim 8, wherein: thebody is attachable to the garment such that the at least one of thefirst and second portions is disposed intermediate a peripheral edge ofthe garment and the aperture.
 11. The garment straightening deviceaccording to claim 8, wherein: the first and second portions comprisefirst and second legs, respectively.
 12. The garment straighteningdevice according to claim 11, wherein: each of the legs is disposedrelative to the other thereof to comprise an angle therebetween in therange of 30°-60°.
 13. A garment straightening device comprising: amember adapted for stationary attachment to the garment according to oneof a method selected from the group consisting of adhesion, sewing andhook and loop type fastener; and a body comprising a first portionadapted for operative association with a fastener of the garment, and asecond portion couplable to the member adapted for stationary attachmentto the garment, the body acting in tension to correct and resistdeformation of an area adjacent a point of operative association withthe fastener.
 14. The garment straightening device according to claim13, wherein: the body comprises a mid-portion comprising elastic,thereby enabling an elastic deformation of the body which is responsiveto at least the amount and extent of deformation of the garment in thearea adjacent a point of operative association of the first portion andthe fastener.
 15. The garment straightening device according to claim13, wherein: the first portion of the body comprises a lobed portionsubstantially aligned with the second portion of the body, the lobedportion comprising an aperture positioned at substantially the centerthereof and adapted for receipt of the fastener.
 16. The garmentstraightening device according to claim 15, wherein: upon each of aplacement of an underside of the lobed portion against a front face ofthe deformed portion, receipt of the garment fastener through theaperture and connection of the second portion of the body with themember adapted for stationary attachment with the garment, the lobedportion presses against the front face of the deformed portion of thegarment to maintain it in an upright position.
 17. The garmentstraightening device according to claim 13, wherein: each of the memberadapted for stationary attachment to the garment and the body arecouplable according to one of a method selected from the groupconsisting of adhesion, sewing and hook and loop type fastener.
 18. Agarment comprising: a collar; a plurality of fasteners which joinconstituent portions of the garment; and a straightening devicecomprising portions carriable by the collar for straightening aconstituent, downturned portion of the garment in an area adjacent oneof the plurality of fasteners, at least one of the portions comprisingan arcuate portion substantially conforming to the downturned portion tomaintain the downturned portion in an upright position relative to theone of the fasteners.
 19. The garment according to claim 18, wherein:the straightening device comprises a body comprising the arcuateportion, and a collar attachment carried by the collar, each thereofbeing couplable to act in tension and thereby cause the arcuate portionto lay against the downturned portion to position the downturned portionin an upright position relative to the one of the fasteners.
 20. Thegarment according to claim 18, wherein: the straightening devicecomprises a pair of arcuate portions in opposing relationship to eachother, one of the portions extending along the collar and the otherthereof extending angularly along the downturned portion to position thedownturned portion in an upright position relative to the one of thefasteners.